This Week in Manufacturing — Brussels (#11, 2026)
EU customs reform deal reached; new handling fee for e-commerce parcels; EU Customs Authority to be set up in Lille; Commission approves major State aid schemes for cleantech and hydrogen; anti-dumping actions on polyamide yarns and cast fittings.
March 22, 2026 to March 28, 2026
EU customs reform deal reached; new handling fee for e-commerce parcels; EU Customs Authority to be set up in Lille; Commission approves major State aid schemes for cleantech and hydrogen; anti-dumping actions on polyamide yarns and cast fittings.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🏛️ European Parliament
• 🤝 EU Council
• 📝 EP Motions & Questions
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Informal meeting of competitiveness ministers (Research): On March 31, the EU Council's Informal meeting of competitiveness ministers (Research) configuration is scheduled to hold an informal meeting ministerial meeting in Brussels.
European Commission
Commission welcomes historic agreement to reform EU Customs Union
The European Commission on 25 March 2026 welcomed a political agreement between the European Parliament and Council on an overhaul of the EU Customs Union. The reform introduces a new EU Customs Authority (EUCA), to be located in Lille, France, and establishes a digital EU Customs Data Hub to streamline customs procedures and risk management. E-commerce operators will face new responsibilities, including a €3 customs duty on low-value parcels from 1 July 2026 and a new handling fee by November 2026. The reform aims to address rising e-commerce flows, strengthen enforcement, and simplify compliance for business. The regulation will enter into force twenty days after publication in the Official Journal.
Commission approves €5 billion Danish State aid scheme for offshore wind
On 22 March 2026, the Commission approved a €5 billion Danish scheme to support offshore wind energy under the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF). The scheme covers construction and operation of the Hesselø (0.8 GW) and North Sea I Mid (1 GW) wind farms, representing about 25% of Denmark's total electricity production. Aid will be provided via a two-way contract for difference, awarded through a competitive tender. The measure aims to accelerate the green transition and meets Article 107(3)(c) TFEU criteria.
Commission approves €500 million Luxembourgish cleantech State aid scheme
On 26 March 2026, the Commission approved a €500 million Luxembourgish State aid scheme to boost cleantech manufacturing capacity, under the CISAF. The scheme supports investments in the production of clean technologies, their components, and related critical raw materials, with aid available until 31 December 2030. Direct grants will be open to companies nationwide. The measure is aligned with Article 107(3)(c) TFEU and the CISAF, and supports the Clean Industrial Deal.
Commission approves French State aid scheme for renewable and low-carbon hydrogen
On 22 March 2026, the Commission approved a French scheme for renewable and low-carbon hydrogen production, supporting 1 GW of new electrolyser capacity via competitive tenders. The first tender covers 200 MW with a budget of €797 million. Aid will be fixed-premium for industrial use only, compliant with criteria under the Renewable Energy Directive and delegated acts on renewable and low-carbon hydrogen. The scheme is part of France’s effort to reach 4.5 GW electrolyser capacity by 2030, and is compatible with Article 107(3)(c) TFEU and the 2022 CEEAG.
Commission approves €144 million French State aid for HyforSeeds hydrogen project
On 26 March 2026, the Commission approved €144 million in French State aid for HyforSeeds, a Hynamics subsidiary, to build a 50 MW renewable and low-carbon hydrogen production unit at LAT Nitrogen in Haut Rhin. The project will decarbonise ammonia production, replacing up to 15% of fossil-based hydrogen, and is expected to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 70%. The measure is assessed under Article 107(3)(c) TFEU and the Guidelines on State aid for climate, environmental protection and energy.
Commission greenlights Latvia's €371 million NextGenerationEU payment
On 25 March 2026, the Commission gave a positive assessment to Latvia's fourth payment request for €371 million under the Recovery and Resilience Facility. Latvia met 24 milestones and 17 targets in energy efficiency, flood management, health, digitalisation, and anti-money laundering. The funds will be disbursed after Council Economic and Financial Committee opinion and formal Commission decision.
Cohesion policy funds reallocated to strategic EU priorities
The Commission on 24 March 2026 announced that €34.6 billion in cohesion policy funds for 2021–2027 were reprogrammed to address EU priorities. The shift, adopted after the 2025 mid-term review, directs €15.2 billion to competitiveness, €11.9 billion to defence and civil preparedness, €3.3 billion to housing, €3.1 billion to water resilience, and €1.2 billion to energy security and decarbonisation. Regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine received enhanced treatment.
Commission takes action on Member States’ incomplete transposition of EU directives
On 26 March 2026, the Commission opened infringement procedures against multiple Member States for failing to transpose the ESAP Omnibus Directive (2023/2864), the Sixth Capital Requirements Directive (2024/1619), and the e-Evidence Directive (2023/1544). Formal notices were sent, with a two-month deadline to comply before further steps are taken.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Provisional anti-dumping duty imposed on polyamide yarns from China
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/734 of 26 March 2026 imposes a provisional anti-dumping duty of up to 90.1% on imports of synthetic continuous filament yarns of aliphatic polyamides (nylon) from China. The investigation found dumped imports causing material injury to the Union industry, with a significant rise in market share for Chinese imports, and prices undercutting the EU industry by over 40%.
Anti-dumping duty extended to unthreaded cast fittings from China
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/709 of 24 March 2026 extends definitive anti-dumping duties (57.8%) on threaded tube or pipe cast fittings of malleable cast iron from China to also cover unthreaded fittings after evidence of circumvention. Exemptions are granted to several companies not engaging in circumvention.
Correction of anti-dumping and countervailing duties for optical fibre cables from India
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/698 of 23 March 2026 corrects previous regulations to include Aberdare Technologies Private Limited among non-sampled cooperating Indian producers, applying the correct duty rates retroactively from 12 June 2025.
Amendment to Implementing Regulation on anti-dumping of iron/steel fasteners from China
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/701 of 23 March 2026 adds Anhui Newshengda Precision Technology Co., Ltd. as a related exporting producer to Zhejiang New Shengda Fastener Co., Ltd., applying the same anti-dumping duty rate.
Correction of anti-dumping/countervailing duties for graphite electrode systems from China
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/704 of 24 March 2026 clarifies the duty status for Liaoning Dantan Group, removing the previous company from the named list and assigning duties applicable to other cooperating companies.
Commission Implementing Decision on bicycle parts anti-dumping exemptions
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/671 of 20 March 2026 authorises exemptions from extended anti-dumping duties on certain bicycle parts from China for New Cycle GmbH and PROWEN BIKES S.L., and updates company references.
Implementing Regulation on environmental sustainability for public procurement of net-zero technologies
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/718 of 20 March 2026 sets a minimum recyclability rate of 70% for wind turbine blades in public procurement, effective from 30 June 2026, under Regulation (EU) 2024/1735.
Commission Recommendation on the definition of innovative enterprises, startups and scaleups
Commission Recommendation (EU) 2026/720 of 18 March 2026 defines innovative enterprises, startups, and scaleups to harmonise eligibility for support and enhance cross-border activities.
European Parliament
Parliament adopts adjustment of customs duties for US-origin goods
On 26 March 2026, the European Parliament voted on the proposal for a regulation on the adjustment of customs duties and opening of tariff quotas for imports of certain goods originating in the United States of America (COM(2025)0471, 2025/0261(COD)), rapporteur Bernd Lange (A10-0069/2026), in plenary. The measure aims to amend duties and quotas in line with trade relations and ongoing negotiations.
EU Council
Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) convenes at WTO Ministerial in Yaoundé
On 26 and 29 March 2026, the Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) met in the margins of the WTO MC14 in Yaoundé, Cameroon. The Council adopted conclusions on the EU's positions and expectations for WTO reform and consulted with Member States throughout the conference.
EU energy ministers discuss Middle East impact on energy prices
On 31 March 2026, the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council held an informal video conference to address the impact of the Middle East conflict on global oil and gas markets. Ministers assessed market volatility and agreed on the need for coordinated EU and national actions to mitigate energy price spikes and ensure supply security.
Informal Competitiveness Council (Research) meets on industrial and trade topics
On 31 March 2026, competitiveness ministers met by video conference to discuss boosting EU competitiveness, research, and the EU's role in global trade, with attention to Russia's war against Ukraine and the Middle East situation.
Upcoming ECOFIN meeting scheduled
An informal meeting of economic and financial affairs ministers (ECOFIN) is scheduled for 27 March 2026.
Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) plans further discussions at WTO MC14
The Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) scheduled an additional session for 26 March 2026 in the context of the WTO MC14 in Yaoundé.
EP Motions & Questions
Motion for resolution on certification methodologies for permanent carbon removals
On 23 March 2026, a motion for a resolution was tabled by Michael Bloss (Verts/ALE), Tiemo Wölken (S&D), and Martin Günther (The Left) regarding the Commission delegated regulation supplementing Regulation (EU) 2024/3012 by establishing certification methodologies for permanent carbon removals. The motion highlights concerns over the scientific basis and environmental integrity of biochar carbon removal methodologies, and calls for stricter monitoring and clearer exclusion of harmful biomass feedstocks.
EP Committee Work
IMCO Committee reviews amendments to customs and single market programmes
On 24 March 2026, the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) held an ordinary meeting to consider amendments to the proposal establishing the European Competitiveness Fund ('ECF'), rapporteur Regina Doherty (PPE), and the proposal for the Single Market and Customs Programme for 2028–2034, rapporteur Adnan Dibrani (S&D). The agenda included a presentation on the European Product Act, outcome of the public consultation on public procurement directives, and an exchange with Stéphane Séjourné, Commission Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy.
ITRE Committee debates Horizon Europe and nuclear decommissioning
The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) met on 23–24 March 2026 to discuss the draft report on Horizon Europe for 2028–2034, rapporteur Christian Ehler (PPE), and the nuclear decommissioning assistance programme for Lithuania, rapporteur Virginijus Sinkevičius (Verts/ALE). The agenda included adoption of pilot project proposals, reporting back from the ITRE mission to Chile, and a structured dialogue with Stéphane Séjourné.
REGI Committee adopts opinion on Horizon Europe and reviews cohesion policy mid-term results
On 25 March 2026, the Committee on Regional Development (REGI) held an extraordinary meeting to adopt its opinion on the proposal for Horizon Europe 2028–2034 (rapporteur Şerban Dimitrie Sturdza, ECR) and to hold a structured dialogue with Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto on the communication regarding EU eastern regions bordering Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine and on the cohesion policy mid-term review.
What We're Reading This Week
- How Iran war exposes Europe’s dangerous dependency on fertilisers: Escalating conflict in Iran highlights Europe's vulnerability due to heavy reliance on imported fertilisers for agriculture.
- How UK–Europe Trade Is Driving the Next Generation of Manufacturing: Cross-border trade between the UK and Europe is spurring innovation and shaping the future of advanced manufacturing sectors.
